Harencak to speak at annual awards banquet Published Feb. 6, 2015 By Senior Airman Stephanie Englar 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Every year, Airmen of Columbus Air Force Base strive to participate in the prestigious annual awards banquet which awards civilian, enlisted and officer Airmen for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. This year's banquet was visited by guest speaker Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U. S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Harencak is responsible to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force for focus on Nuclear Deterrence Operations. He advocates for and oversees stewardship of Air Force nuclear weapon systems. In addition, he integrates the organizing, training and equipping of the Air Force's nuclear mission, and engages with joint and interagency partners for nuclear enterprise solutions. Harencak entered the Air Force in 1983 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. His assignments include aircraft command of the B-52; instructor pilot and squadron command in the B-1B; and service as aide to the Commander of U.S. Central Command. He also directed the Headquarters U.S. Air Force Executive Secretariat, and served as Deputy Director of Requirements at Headquarters Air Combat Command. General Harencak commanded the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas, and the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Before his current assignment, he was the commander, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.